ASSOCIATE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & QUALITY SCIENTIST/ENGINEER; (Hybrid, Mpls)

The pay range is $56,400.00 - $101,500.00

Pay is based on several factors which vary based on position. These include labor markets and in some instances may include education, work experience and certifications. In addition to your pay, Target cares about and invests in you as a team member, so that you can take care of yourself and your family. Target offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs, which may include medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more, to help you and your family take care of your whole selves. Other benefits for eligible team members include 401(k), employee discount, short term disability, long term disability, paid sick leave, paid national holidays, and paid vacation. Find competitive benefits from financial and education to well-being and beyond at https://corporate.target.com/careers/benefits.

ASSOCIATE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & QUALITY SCIENTIST/ ENGINEER (hybrid, Mpls)

About us:

Target is an iconic brand, a Fortune 50 company and one of America’s leading retailers.

At the heart of one of the world’s best-loved and most recognizable brands is an impeccable Product Development & Design organization. We thrive on the magic of discovering that just-right thing, and we infuse everything we do with our passion for delighting our guests.  We concept, develop, make and deliver the great tasting new favorites that Target guests expect and deserve. We are uber-savvy trend, design, and quality experts who stay ahead of the curve, proactively identifying our market’s needs and exceeding them, every time. Join one of our dynamic and inventive teams to influence the design, quality and value that decisively position Target above the competition. Your input will have a direct and positive effect, whether on convenient meals, snacking favorites, giftables, or pantry staples. Here, you will be close to the action of dreaming up and bringing to life the Target-owned brands that surprise and gratify guests, wherever and whenever they love to shop.

A role with Food Product Development means being on a team of engineers and food scientists who create products that truly embody the intent of Target-owned brands. Can you ensure that each product has that just-right mix of taste, quality and value? Do you love to create product solutions that help meet strategic business goals? Then you will have success on our talented and innovative team.

Key Responsibilities:

As a Scientist/ Engineer on our Product Development and Quality team, you will use your skills, experience, and guest centric mindset to support development of products for Target’s owned brand food portfolio.  You will work to identify and mitigate quality risks, and develop and implement processes to ensure quality and consistency of our owned brands.  You will collaborate with the product development and compliance teams to monitor in market quality, and work closely with vendors to ensure that our quality standards and brand vision is clearly understood and successfully brought to life with every product we offer.  Key accountabilities include:

• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to develop testing plans to ensure quality and consistency of in-market products.

• Develop and document analytical testing methodology, procedures, and validations, including new instrumentation.  Maintains records database and other reporting tools.

• Expertly performs and documents physical, chemical, and sensory testing of finished products.

• Analyzes data and identifies trends in defects or errors.  Creates reports of in-market product testing results.  Works with cross functional teams to identify root cause and necessary corrective actions.

• Develops, maintains, and ensures compliance with quality standards.

• Provides training and coaching to team members.

• Support and manage the development of specifications and product standards

• Support product development and quality improvement initiatives and commercialization of a diverse assortment of Target brand products.

• Lead and prioritize work within and across complex, fast paced, overlapping deliveries to ensure efforts support business objectives.

We will support you along the way with robust onboarding, as well as personal and career development, to help you grow as a strong Food Product Development Scientist/ Engineer. The exciting part of retail? It is always changing!  Core responsibilities of this job are described within this job description.  Job duties may change at any time due to business needs

About you:

• Bachelor or Master of Science degree in Food Science, or related fields

• Non-traditional background will be considered with 5+ years direct food product development or quality management experience

• Knowledge of quality management and specification development practices

• Experience working in collaboration with contract manufacturing and vendors to ensure quality and consistency of products as designed a plus

• Working knowledge of Good Laboratory Practices

• Beginning knowledge of quality management concepts and product development practices

• Strong communication, collaboration, problem solving, and strategic thinking skills

• Ability to successfully work in a team environment

• Outstanding teamwork, communication, collaboration, and initiative skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint skills

• Willing to travel up to 20% time

Benefits Eligibility

Please paste this url into your preferred browser to learn about benefits eligibility for this role: https://tgt.biz/BenefitsForYou_D

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

In compliance with state and federal laws, Target will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please reach out to [email protected].

Application deadline is : 08/11/2025